Euphorbia neohumbertii

Euphorbia neohumbertii at Matthaei Botanical Garden in Ann Arbor, MI

Euphorbia neohumbertii at Garfield Park conservatory in Chicago

It is no secret that I love Euphorbias of all types. These pictures are of the Euphorbia neohumbertii, native to Madagascar. It grows leaves on the top of the stem and when they drop a very prominent scar is left on the stem. The stem is 4 sided. This Euphorbia loses the leaves in the winter and go into a type of dormancy.  In the spring, the stem is topped with scarlet flowers tipped in yellow. The pictures at Matthaei were taken in March. I wrote about a few other varieties of Euphorbia here.  
Once again, I'm going to point out that you never know what you'll find at your local conservatory. Visit one today, and let me know what amazing plant you find.

Euphorbia neohumbertii

Euphorbia neohumbertii

Aloe arborescens

Aloe arborescens

(When I posted this to the Planet Aloe page on Facebook, I was corrected by some members about the identification of this plant. I never would have questioned a botanical garden, but may have to do that in the future. So, I have changed the post to correct the mistake.)
I visited the conservatory at Matthaei Botanical gardens a couple of weeks ago. When I entered the desert room, I was immediately drawn to this flowering Aloe plant. Not only do I love succulents, but I really love orange flowers. This Aloe is from SE Africa. The name aloe is from the Greek alsos and refers to the bitter juice from the leaves of these plants. The  Latin word arborescens means tree-forming or tree-like, even though this plant certainly isn't tree like.  The common name krantz aloe refers to where it grows in its natural habitat, a krantz being a rocky ridge or cliff. The plants become large clumps in their natural habitat, and even in the conservatory it takes up a large area. The whole plant is impressive, but the flowers close-up are beautiful. 
Once again, I'm going to encourage you to visit your nearest conservatory. You never know what you will encounter. Hopefully,  gorgeous flowers such as these. Take the time to really "look" at the flowers up close and personal. 

Aloe arborescens-Close-up of the flower

Tassel Ferns-Not Ferns at All

Lycopodium squarrosum at Matthaei Botanical Gardens

I first saw Lycopodium (Huperzia) in Elvin McDonald's book, The New Houseplant (page 45). It was a picture of a florist's window in New York with one of these plants hanging in it. There was nothing to tell me what it was, as it was in the background of the picture. I loved it all the same. The next time I saw it was at a local greenhouse and I parted with a lot of money and bought it. It was quite a large hanging plant. I hung it in my greenhouse, but unfortunately it was too hot, it dried out and I lost it. I was so bummed. 

So, the next time, I bought a small one, still expensive, and it is on my counter where I make sure it is watered and the humidity is high. I bought it last summer, and it has doubled in size. These aren't the fastest growing plants.

Though the common name would lead you to believe they are ferns, they are not. They are spore producing and are distantly related to ferns. The ones we are discussing today are epiphytic. There are terrestrial ones as well, but not as easy to grow. They prefer moist, humid conditions and do not tolerate drying out for long, thus the reason my first one is dead. The name Lycopodium comes from the Greek lukos, wolf, and podion, foot. They are also known as ground pines or creeping cedar.

My lycopodium.

  Imagine my excitement when I walked into the fern corridor at Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. ( I was already ecstatic just to be there!) I was amazed to see these enormous specimens hanging from the ceiling. Wow! The following are pictures of those.

Lycopodium carinatum

The next time I saw Lycopodiums was at a friend's greenhouse. He had 3 different species and I love them! The pictures of those are below.

Lycopodium nummulariifolia

Lycopodium phlegmaria

Lycopodium carinatum

I have seen varieties of these for sale at the orchid shows. If you have a chance to own one of these, don't pass it up. I think they are amazing plants and I would be thrilled if mine even remotely looked like the ones at Longwood someday.

Find Some Spring

We are all tired of winter here in the Midwest. That is putting it mildly....
Well, I have a cure for the winter time blues. Head for your nearest botanical garden conservatory! 

Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Belle Isle, Detroit, MI

Show room in Belle Isle Conservatory, Detroit, MI

The fern room at Belle Isle Conservatory, Detroit, MI

My nearest conservatory is on Belle Isle in Detroit. I go as often as I can. I absolutely love it and am so happy it has survived the hard economic times that have plagued Detroit.

  There is nothing to make you feel better about winter. You open the doors and the smell of damp earth and flowers wafts out to greet you. If you can't spend time outside, what could be better at this time of year?

Hidden Lakes Gardens, Tipton, MI

This picture of Hidden Lakes Garden Conservatory was during their spring show. It was so beautiful! Tulips, forced forsythia, amaryllis, hyacinths, and of course, as you can see, colored umbrellas. It was a breath of fresh air!

Kingwood Center, Mansfield, OH

Kingwood Center, Mansfield, OH

Kingwood Center in Ohio is an amazing garden. I always go in September when the Ohio African Violet Society is having its show and sale. The garden always has a plant sale in the conservatory also. It is a plant filled shopping day!

New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to be able to visit the New York Botanical Garden. I was able to see their display of vertical gardens designed by the French botanist Patrick Blanc. It was phenomenal!

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Lincoln Park Conservatory, Chicago,IL

Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago, IL

Lincoln Park Conservatory and Garfield Park in Chicago are both beautiful conservatories. Garfield Park was designed by Jens Jensen and as you can see, it is like being out in nature with streams and ponds and the most beautiful plants.

Longwood Gardens, Kennet Square, PA

The piece de resistance of these conservatories is, in my opinion, Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. I spent the whole day there and would have slept there if they would have let me. Absolutely unbelievable!

Longwood Gardens, Kennet Square, PA

Frederick Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI

Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI is a relatively new garden, but you wouldn't know it. It has evolved into a beautiful conservatory. The picture was taken when Chihuly pieces were displayed in the garden.

Phipps Conservatory, Pittsburgh, PA

Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh is huge! I didn't have much time there, but I will return sometime and really take my time. Even my husband said he could have spent more time there, and that is saying a lot! 
So as this never-ending winter continues, take some time and visit the nearest conservatory. You will be so glad you did!

Plant Lover's Heaven on Earth

Sinningia 'Peridots Darth Vader'

What could be better for a plant lover than two plant shows and sales on the same day? Not much in my opinion. So, I found a friend who loves plants as much as I do, and made a day of it.
 Our first stop was at the African violet show and sale,  put on by the Michigan African Violet society. The event included not only a sale of fabulous African violets and other gesneriads, but also a mini flower show. Having classes about the care and cultivation of African violets was an added bonus. And the best part, it was all FREE! Yes, I said free. Of course, if you buy plants, its not technically free, but that is beside the point. You could see beautiful flowers and learn about them for free, if you could control yourself. I know I did.......

Streptocarpus sale table

The members of the society grow all these gorgeous plants in their homes and then bring them to the sale to tempt we unsuspecting plant nerds. This really isn't too hard for them to do. Who could resist these gorgeous flowers? Not me.

African violet show table

Educational board at the show

African violets for sale

Sinningia 'Peridots Darth Vader'

Euphorbia neohumbertii in desert house

Since this show and sale was held at Matthaei Botanical Gardens, we couldn't possibly leave without making a quick trip through the conservatory.....They've done so much trimming and cleaning up in the plant beds, it was like visiting a new conservatory. I'll show you a couple of pictures.

Myrtle topiaries with New Guinea impatiens

Flowering bonsai at Matthaei

Orchid display

Next, we grabbed some lunch and headed for the orchid show, hosted by the Michigan Orchid Society. Unfortunately, these shows are on completely different sides of town, but its okay; we plant nerds are willing to drive great distances for plants. This event also has a show, which included not only orchids, but also flower arrangements and art pieces incorporating the orchid. And, of course, there are the vendors, selling (hopefully), the orchid you saw in the show that you can't live without.
Let me tell you, the people that attend these shows are very serious about buying plants. You may have to elbow your way to the table to get the plant you're after. Being one of the first people through the door does help. We couldn't be in two places at one time though, so I guess we'll never know what we missed. There was still plenty to tempt us even at the end of the day.

Flower arrangement at orchid show

The classes at these shows are exceptional. They are taught by  people who are passionate about growing African violets and orchids. They show you how to get your plants to bloom, re-pot correctly, and the best lighting conditions to make your plant grow and bloom. The orchid show was also free, if no purchases were made.











I had a wonderful day. I learned more about houseplants, and shared the day with a friend. We talked to the vendors, who grow these plants to sell. They have tips and tricks no one else has  and we learned that by going at the end of the day, they had time to talk to us. They love to talk about their plants and I took notes!
Next time you get a chance to go to a plant show, don't hesitate to go, and of course, take some money for these "free" events.

Rhy. digbyana orchid

Art at the orchid show in Lansing